Lumber-marking device.



1. G. MCDONOUGH.

LUMBER MARKING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AuG.9.1915.

CLGZWX @y @WWW/LQ J. G. MCDONGUGH.

LUMBER MARKING DEVICE.

APPLICATION HLED AuG.9, 1915.

Patented Dec. 1T, 1918.

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LUMBER MARKING DEVICE.

APPLICATloN FILED AUG.9,1915.

Patented Dec. 17, 1918.

37 40 Eri-Te 26 G l f v `5'0 i 34 O .a5 5,6, LI )4] mw I ` UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIcE. N

JOSEPH GILBERT MCDONOUGH, 0F EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN.

LUMBER-MARKING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

llPatentecl Dec. 1'?, 1918.

Application led Augist 9, 1915. Serial No. 44,482.

To all whom t may concern.

Be it known that I, JOSEPH G. MODON- oUGH, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Eau Claire, county of Eau Claire, State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lumber- Marking Devices, of which the following is a specification.

In the operationof a saw mill or assorting shed or lumber or timber yard, it has been customary to use hand devices for marking the lumber, or timber, but they have generally proved unsatisfactory, owing to loss of time and labor of operation, and the object of my invention is to provide a mechanicaldevice by means of which the lumber or timber may be easily and quickly marked or branded on the ends of the boards, planks, sticks or pieces of timber, as the same pass through the mill, or from place to place on suitable conveyers, thereby permitting such boards, planks, sticks or pieces of timber to be placed in solid packages or piles with the marks visible or eX- posed for identilication.

The invention consists generally in va'- rious constructions and combinations, all as hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a lumber trimmer with my improved marking devices ap- I plied thereto,

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same,

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view, showing the preferred form of mechanism for marking the lumber,

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View of the same,

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views illustrating different positions of the marking dies,

Fig. 7 is a plan view, partially in section, showing a modified construction,

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the same, l

Fig. 9 is an end view of a piece of lumber, showing the mark or brand thereon,

In the drawing, 2 represents the frame of a lumber trimmer, having feed chains 3 and saws 1. 5 is a shaft, from which the feed chains are driven. At one end of the machine I provide a turret-like device, inclicated by reference numeral 6, and mounted upon a suitable support in the plane of the trimmer'table. This turret preferably has an annular flange 7 and seated thereon is a ring 8 having a rib 9 engaging the edge of the flange and a gear 10 on the underside which meshes wtih a gear 11 mounted on a shaft l2 lthat is driven through a belt 13 from a suitable moving part of the lumber trimmer, such as the shaft 5.

The turret is preferably covered by a guard 6 having a wing 6 projecting downwardly toward the adjacent saw and operating to direct the pieceof lumber which may have passed the saw without being trimmed over the marking device. It occasionally happens that a saw, through its teeth being dull or from striking a knot, will fail to trim the end of the piece of lumber that is being carried by it, and I have found that this guard device has a. useful function in directing said untrimmed pieces over the marking turret.

The ring 8 is provided With a series of pockets 14 in which dies 15 are mounted and provided with marking faces 16, preferably composed of a series of points or pins for making impressions in the lumber corresponding in outline to letters or characters or trademarks used by the mill to represent its product or ownership. These dies are normally held in a retracted position by springs 17. A cap 18 is preferably provided in connection with-each die and has a socket 19 to receive the outer end of the die, the inner end of the cap bearing on the spring 17 to put said spring under compression when said cap and die are forced outwardly to mark the lumber. The turret is preferably provided with a-n annular flange 20 having a vertical slot 21 and a hammer 22, preferably pneumatic, has its plunger 23 in position to be projected through the slot 21 and contact with the cap to operate the die.

The flange 2O is preferably provided with a cam surface 24 which engages the cap just before it reaches the slot 21 in the revolution of the ring for the purpose of projecting the cap slightly to insure its clearing the end of the plunger and reaching a point where it will coincide with the plunger to perform the marking operation. IThe pneumatic hammer is of ordinary construction and Tt do not illustrate or describe it inv detail herein.

A pipe 25 connects the hammer with a source of air under pressure for the oontinuous operation of the hammer.

When 'the lumber trimmer is in operation, the die-carrying ring will be revolved oontinuously, its speed being proportioned to the travel of the trimmer belts, and, as the lumber is carried along by the belts past the turret, the dies will be successively projected by the operation of the hammer to mark the ends of the lumber.

1n Figs. 7 and 8 1 have shown a modified construction. 1n place of the revolving turret ring 1 rovide a belt Q6, preferably in the forni oi) a sprocket chain, driven from a' sprocket wheel '27 and having its links provided with tubular carriers 2Sv in which the marking dies 29 are mounted, said carriers being preferably provided with plugs 30 at their outer ends in which sockets are formed for the sliding dies. rlhe inner ends of the dies project throughl holes 31 in the links in position to be struck by thepneumatic hammer 22 mounted in a suitable support 82 and operating in a slot 33 provided in a vertizal flange 3i. The plunger of this hammer engages the end of the die projecting through the socket 3l and forces it against the end' of the lumber to carry it along by the trimmer chains. A cam surface, described with reference to Fig. 3, is also provided on the flange 34:. This form of marker is not designed to operate continuously, but is controlled by the movement of the lumber and to accomplish this, 1 provide a cylinder 35 beneath the bed of the trimmer and mount therein a plunger 36 having an annular groove 37 which is normally held out of register with the Huid pressure connections 38 and 39 by a spring 40. The upper end of the plunger is provided With an anti-friction Wheel l1 which normally projects above the level 'ot the trimmer bed in the path of the lumber as it is moved over the bed. When the lumber contacts with this anti-friction wheel, it forces the plunger down until it registers with the pressure pipes 38 and 39 and thereupon the iuid pressure Will be automatically admitted to the pneumatic hammer and the hammer plunger will be projected to contaz t with andoperate the dies.

1 prefer also to provide an anti-friction bearing Wheel 42 to rest upon the lumber and hold it dovvn upon the Wheel 41 and this Wheel Zmay have the urther function of producing suiicient friction to prevent light pieces of .lumber from being moved length- Wise when struck by the marking die.

1n the operation of the turret device. or the preferred form of marker, the dies, movraeaosa ing at substantially the same speed as the lumber, will be forced into Contact with the lumber and remain in such Contact a sumcientlength of time to make the proper impression and as the lumber is moving in a straight line and the dies in a circle, each die, having made its impression, will move out ot engagement with the lumber and will also be withdrawn by its spring when the pressure on the die is relieved by the retraction of the hammer plunger. The dies operate substantially in the plane of the moving lumber or in the space between the upper and under surfaces of the lumber it extended, and each die approaches and leaves the surface to be marked tangentially with respect thereto. The marking operation can, therefore, be performed rapidly and accurately, and as the dies are moving when projected in the same direction as the lumber, there is no hitch or momentary stoppage of the lumber. Its travel is continuous and the die is applied to the end surface While moving at substantially the speed of the lumber. rll`here is, therefore, no tendency to interrupt the feed or dislodge the pieces of lumber from their normal position of the feed belts.

1n various ways the details of construction herein shown, and described may be modiied and still be Within the scope of my invention. The lumber marked Vmay be boards, plank, sticks, various lengths, shapes or sizes in cross section.

1 claim as my invention:

rThe combination with means for moving pieces ot lumber of varying length transversely, of means for marking the end surface of such lumber and means for forcing said marking means into such surface.

2. rlhe combination, with means for moving lumber, of a plurality of marking dies and mechanism for operating them successively to mark the ends of the pieces of lumber, said dies operating substantially in the plane of the moving lumber.

3. The combination, with means :tor moving lumber, of a revolving die carrier and dies mounted therein, and mechanism for operating said dies to mark the ends of the pieces of lumber, said dies moving tangentially with respect to the end surface of the lumber preceding and following the marking operation.

J1. rlhe combination, with lumber moving belts, ot a moving die carrier operating synchronously with said belts, dies mounted in said carrier, and means for operating said dies in the plane substantially of the moving lumber to mark the ends of the pieces of lumber being moved by said belts.

5. lumber marking device comprising a carrier revolving in the plane of the moving lumber and a plurality of dies mounted or pieces of lumber of mesma therein, and mechanism for operating said dies successively to mark the ends of the pieces of lumber.

6. A means for marking lumber comprising a die carrier revolving in the plane substantially of the moving lumber, ydies mounted at intervals therein, and a plunger mounted to project said dies successively to mark the lumber.

7 A lumber marking device comprising a revolving carrier, dies mounted therein, a fiange having a slot past which said dies are revolved, a pneumatic hammer having a plunger operating in said slot to project said dies successively and means for moving the lumber past said dies.

8. The combination, with means for mov' ing pieces of lumber of different length, such pieces being in substantial alinement at one end, of a revolving die mounted to contact with the surfaces of said alined ends of lumber for making a mark or impression thereon, and means for guiding a piece of lumber having an end not in alinement with the other pieces past said die.

Y 9. The combination, With means for successively feeding pieces of lumber of varying lengths, of means for making an impression or mark on the transverse end surfaces of said pieces While 'being successively fed tangentially with respect to said marking means, and means for holding the different lengths of lumber against longitudinal movement.

10. In combination with lumberfeeding means and Ymarking devices positioned to mark the ends of the moving pieces of lumber, of means forrevolving said marking devices in the plane substantially of the moving lumber and projecting said marking devices into contact withthe lumber.

11. The combination, with means for moving lumber, of means for making a mark or impression thereon, and a guard device mounted to engage a piece of lumber that is too long to contact with the face of said markingA means and direct it over said marking means.

12. The combination, with means for moving lumber, of dies normally traveling in the plane of the lumber for making an impression or mark on the ends thereof, and means for forcing said dies into the surface of the lumber.

13. A lumber marking apparatus comprising means for supportlng pieces of lumber of different length having trimmed ends in alinement substantially With one another, marking dies, said dies and the lumber having a relative movement transversely of the end surface of the lumber for making a series of impressions surface of the lumber.

14. rllhe combination, with means for successively moving pieces of lumber of varylumber,

A parallel relation therein,

of the dies in the end ing lengths and means for automatically making an impression or mark on the transverse end surfaces of the moving pieces of lumber, and means under surfaces of the lumber for holding it against longitudinal movement.

15. The combination, with means for moving lumber, of a plurality of marking dies moving tangentially with respect to the end surfaces of the lumber, and a liuidpressure operated device for actuating said dies successively.

16. The combination, with means for moving pieces of lumber of varying lengths, of revoluble dies for placing a succession of corresponding marks or characters on the transverse end surfaces of the different pieces of .lumber successively fed by said moving means, and means for pieces of lumber of different length against longitudinal movement.

17. The combination, with means for moving lumber, of means for making a mark or impression in the ends of the pieces of a cover for said marking means provided With an opening in its Wall for contact of the marking means with the ends of the lumber and means for holding 'the lumber during the marking operation.

18. The combination, with a frame, of Aa series of lumber moving belts mounted in a die carrier mounted to revolve in the plane of the lumber and having dies for marking or branding the trimmed ends of the pieces of lumber as they` are moved past said carrier, a cover for said carrier having an opening in its Wall for contact of the dies the moving lumber and means for holding the lumber during the marking operation.

19. The combination, with a. frame, of lumber moving belts mounted therein and having means for engaging and moving pieces of lumber laterally, a branding device mounted to contact with the trimmed engaging the upper and holding the with the ends ofends of the pieces of lumber as they are carried along by said belts, said device making a series of impressions in said trimmed ends and means preventing the pieces of uilnber from sliding lengthwise Von said e ts.

20. The combination, with means foi" moving pieces of lumber of dierent length, such .pieces being in substantial alinement at one end, of a revolving die mounted to contact Withthe surfaces of said alined ends of lumber for making a,ma rk or impression thereon, said die revolving substantially in the plane of the lumber, and means for holdlso by said moving means.

contact with the surfaces of said alined endsof lumber for making a marker impression thereon, and means in the path of the lumber and engaged thereby for preventing contact with the die of a piece of lumber having an end not in alinement with the other pieces..

23. The combination, `with means for moving pieces of lumber of different length, such pieces being in substantial alinement at one end, of a marking die mounted to contact Withthe surfaces of said alined ends -of lumber for making a mark or impression, said die being mounted to permit the free unobstructed passage'of a piece of untrimmed lumber. i

24. The combination, with means for moving pieces of lumber or timber of varying length, of a marking device and a duid pressure operated device'for actuating said marking device to contact it will the pieces to be marked.

25. The combination, with means for moving pieces of lumber of varying lengths, of means for placing an identifying mark or character on the vertical surfaces of the di'erent pieces .of lumber successively fed and means for holding the pieces of lumber of dider'ent lengths during the marking operation.

26. The combination, with means for moving pieces of lumber of varying lengths,

of a revoluble die for placing a succession of identifying marks or characters on the vertical surfaces of the different pieces of lumber successively fed by. said moving means, and means lumber of diderent lengths during themarking operation. l

27. The combination, of means for moving pieces of lumber or timber of diderent lengths and means for positioning a grnup or train of identifying means for contacting with pieces of diderent length with for holding the pieces of4 naeanaa means for moving a part of the identifying means independently of other parts to contact With a piece of lumber or timber.

28. The combination, with means for moving lumber, of a die mounted to place an identifying mark on a vertical surface of the lumber, and means for engaging and forcing said die into the lumber.

29. r1`he combination, with means for moving lumber, of a die mounted to place an identifying mark on a transverse end surface of the lumber, and means for engaging and forcing said die into such surface.

30. rl`he combination, with' means for movin lumber, of means for marking the ends o the moving lumber and means for engaging and projecting said marking means into Contact with the lumber.

31. The combination, with means for moving lumber, of means for marking the ends of the moving lumber and a uid pressure operated hammer for engaging and projecting said marking means into contact with the lumber.

32. rllhe combination. with means for moving lumber, of a die mounted to place an identifying mark on a vertical surface of the lumber and a hammer gage and force said die into the lumber.

33. rilhe combination, with means for moving pieces of lumber of varying lengths and widths, of means for placing an identifying mark on a surface of the different pieces of lumber successively fed by said mving means, and means for holding the pieces of lumber during the marking operation. `V

34:. rfhe combination, with means for moving pieces of lumber in a direction transversely to the longitudinal axis of the lumber, of means for placing an identifym mark or character on the surface of the di ferent pieces of lumber successively fed by said moving means, said mark-placing means operating in the same direction as the moving lumber and means for holding the lumber While being marked.

ln Witness whereof, l have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of July 1915.

JOSEPH GlLBERT MCDNOUGH.

Witnesses: v

Vronrr'rn MCDONOUGH, Josera C. Cum/nn.

mounted to en- Y 

